19: Chapter 19 Returning Home

A moment later, Meng Li and Tie Xinlan returned to the courtyard hand in hand.

Jiang Yuyan and Xiao Xiao, who were plucking at the zither strings, quickly stood up to greet them upon seeing them, then immediately noticed the change in the two.

Xiao Xiao, being familiar with the two and quite bold, stared directly at their joined hands and said, "Young Miss, Young Master Meng, you two...?"

Meng Li smiled and asked, "What about us?"

Then, he added pointedly, "Is this really worth such surprise?"

Xiao Xiao was momentarily at a loss for words.

She had witnessed the development of Meng Li and Tie Xinlan's feelings over the years; now that they were merely holding hands, it truly wasn't worth being surprised about.

Jiang Yuyan's eyes dimmed, and she lowered her head without saying a word.

At this moment, Tie Xinlan bid Meng Li farewell: "I still have matters to handle at my manor, so I won't stay any longer. I'll come find you next time."

"Remember to update the storybooks!"

"Alright, I'll see you out."

...

After seeing Tie Xinlan off, Meng Li led Jiang Yuyan to the study.

Jiang Yuyan immediately knew he was going to write something and began grinding the ink.

Seeing this, Meng Li asked, "How is your mother's health?"

Jiang Yuyan was taken aback for a moment before replying truthfully, "She has mostly recovered. The rest just requires slow nourishment with food supplements."

At this point, her face showed gratitude: "This is all thanks to Young Master. Yu Yan will forever remember Young Master's kindness."

Meng Li said nonchalantly, "Since you've decided to follow me, I naturally won't mistreat you..."

He paused for a moment and said meaningfully, "You don't need to care too much about your background or emphasize your status; what I value is you as a person."

Hearing this, Jiang Yuyan immediately knew that her little scheme of proactively revealing her status to Tie Xinlan had been seen through by Meng Li. While slightly startled, she decisively chose to kneel and admit her fault: "Young Master, Yu Yan knows her mistake and promises there won't be a next time."

Meng Li reached out to pull her up: "Don't just kneel at every turn; I don't like that sort of thing."

"I'm not blaming you; I just want to tell you that there's no need to dwell on the past. One should look forward."

"Furthermore, Xinlan has accepted your status."

"She is kind-hearted, so you don't have to worry about being mistreated in the future."

Jiang Yuyan's eyes flickered slightly: "Young Master and Miss Tie?"

Meng Li rolled his eyes at her and said irritably, "Asking what you already know—you deserve to be punished!"

With that, he tilted Jiang Yuyan's chin up and lowered his head to kiss her lips.

Jiang Yuyan's expression froze for a moment, but she quickly softened and responded.

Feeling that she was more proactive than Tie Xinlan, yet equally clumsy in her movements, Meng Li smiled inwardly and took further action.

"Young Master~~"

"Don't worry, I remember what I promised you."

"Then why are you still..."

"Massaging this area more will help it grow larger."

"Young Master likes them big?"

Meng Li shook his head: "Too big isn't good either; slightly larger than what can be held in one hand is just right."

Jiang Yuyan blushed and looked down. Feeling she was a bit far from her beloved's goal, a competitive urge suddenly arose. She bit her lip and asked, "What about Miss Tie?"

Meng Li found it amusing: "What's there to compare?"

Jiang Yuyan's eyes darted around as if she understood something. She covered her mouth and chuckled, "So Young Master doesn't know either."

Meng Li: "..."

He really didn't know this. After all, he wasn't one of those legendary "experienced drivers" who could judge the result just by sight or the contact of a hug.

Seeing this, Jiang Yuyan immediately knew she had guessed correctly.

Having had intimate contact with Meng Li first was equivalent to winning a round against Tie Xinlan, and her mood instantly brightened.

Seeing her smiling with narrowed eyes and a hint of cunning, looking like a victorious little fox, Meng Li understood the general idea after a moment's thought. He narrowed his eyes and stared into hers, saying, "Be happy if you want, but you aren't allowed to use this to show off or stir up trouble. Otherwise..."

He stopped mid-sentence and directly resorted to his methods.

Jiang Yuyan's weakness was seized, and she immediately felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her whole body trembled, and then her strength left her as she slumped into Meng Li's arms, her eyes becoming hazy and blurred.

"Young Master~~"

Meng Li was somewhat surprised by her reaction.

He had only tried it on a whim, never expecting to find her sensitive spot. This was good; it would make educating her much more convenient in the future.

Thinking of this, Meng Li's expression turned serious: "Do you remember now?"

"This servant remembers."

Jiang Yuyan's eyelids drooped as she responded weakly, a flicker of excitement and obsession passing through the depths of her eyes.

Soon after, as if sensing something, the blush on her face deepened. Her gaze flickered slightly before finally turning into determination: Since she had already won one round, she would win until the end. Regardless, she had already set her heart on him.

At this thought, Jiang Yuyan tucked a strand of her hair...

Looking at that face framed by air bangs, only one word came to Meng Li's mind—thrilling!

If she were wearing a Dragon robe, it would be even more thrilling!

...

Afterward, Meng Li held Jiang Yuyan and caressed her, saying, "Eat more normally and nourish your body to be a bit plumper; it's more comfortable to hold you that way. Most importantly, having a healthy body is not only good for you but will also be beneficial for children in the future, reducing unnecessary risks during childbirth."

Jiang Yuyan said obediently, "Alright, I will listen to Young Master."

Just now, she had already performed the duties expected of a Personal Maid. Except for the final line of defense, every other part of her had been occupied by Meng Li.

At this moment, Meng Li spoke of children again.

This made Jiang Yuyan feel that her future was completely settled, and in the way she had hoped for. Although it wasn't perfect, it was already excellent, enough to let her heart settle completely. She stopped thinking about miscellaneous things and only wanted to stay by Meng Li's side and live a stable life.

...

On the other side, after Tie Xinlan returned to her manor, she didn't handle her affairs immediately but instead took Xiao Xiao to her room.

"Xiao Xiao, are you willing to be Meng Li's Personal Maid?"

Xiao Xiao, who was prepared to hear some gossip, was stunned on the spot.

Once she snapped out of it, she lowered her head and asked hesitantly, "Young Miss, why... why are you suddenly asking me this question?"

Seeing that she had already broached the subject, Tie Xinlan no longer hid anything and briefly recounted her previous conversation with Meng Li.

After finishing, she looked at Xiao Xiao earnestly and said, "Xiao Xiao, we grew up together. Nominally, we are master and servant, but we are more like sisters. Since I have already pledged my life to Meng Li in private, you will inevitably follow me as a dowry maid in the future. It's necessary for me to consider your future."

"If you are willing to be Meng Li's Personal Maid, then we will settle your status together at that time."

"If you are unwilling, it's best to make it clear beforehand so we can keep things separate. When you meet someone you like in the future, you can marry out just like a girl from an ordinary family."

"At that time, Meng Li and I will prepare a dowry for you and act as your maternal family."

"Young Miss..." Seeing her Young Miss considering things so thoroughly for her, Xiao Xiao was deeply moved, tears welling in her eyes. Then, she wiped her tears and threw herself into Tie Xinlan's arms, saying firmly, "Xiao Xiao won't marry. I'll follow Young Miss for the rest of my life as your Personal Maid."

Tie Xinlan stroked her hair and smiled, "What girl doesn't marry for her whole life?"

Xiao Xiao said, "Then Xiao Xiao will marry along with Young Miss and be Young Master Meng's Personal Maid. That way, I won't have to be separated from you, Young Miss."

Tie Xinlan shook her head and said, "That won't do. You can't delay the rest of your life for my sake."

Hearing this, Xiao Xiao bit her lip and lowered her head to fiddle with the ends of her braided hair, whispering, "Young Miss, actually, I like Young Master Meng too. I am willing to be his Personal Maid, so for me, it's not a delay."

Tie Xinlan: "..."